Additional contributions
Hundreds of euros: This savings potential often remains unused
July 3, 2026 – 11:11 a.mReading time: 3 minutes
Statutory health insurance has become significantly more expensive for most people in recent years. Numerous health insurance companies have recently increased their additional contributions – the insured people will also notice this on their pay slips. But there are big differences between health insurance companies when it comes to the additional contribution. A change can therefore be worthwhile.
But the majority of insured people in this country are reluctant to change and remain loyal to their health insurance company. This is shown by the “GKV-Check” study by the management consultancy McKinsey.
The majority remain loyal to their health insurance companies
Of a total of 3,600 GKV insured people surveyed, 83 percent said they had not changed their health insurance provider in the past five years. Conversely, this means: Only 17 percent changed their health insurance provider once or several times in the past five years.
A further ten percent are also planning to change in the next twelve months. This further reduces the willingness to change. In 2020, 13.3 percent of those surveyed had considered switching health insurance companies; in 2023 the figure was 12.4 percent.
- Statutory health insurance: Health insurance companies reduce the additional contribution significantly
- Expenses increase faster than income: Health insurance companies: There is a risk of further premium increases
The study shows: The idea of free choice of health insurance company – enshrined in law in 1996 – is not well received by those insured, and there is hardly any competition between the individual health insurance companies.
Great savings potential
The savings potential is great. While the additional contribution at Tui BKK is 2.5 percent, BKK 24 charges an additional contribution of currently 4.39 percent. Regional health insurance funds such as BKK Firmus have an additional contribution that is even lower. This is financed equally, half by employers and half by employees.
| Gross monthly salary | Contribution including additional contribution of 2.5% (total/employee share) | Contribution including additional contribution of 4.39% (total/employee share) |
|---|---|---|
| 3,000 | 513 (256.5) euros | 569.7 (284.8) euros |
| 4,000 | 684 (342) euros | 759.6 (379.8) euros |
| 5,000 | 855 (427.5) euros | 949.5 (474.7) euros |
Switching to a cheap health insurance company can save those insured several hundred euros a year. However, many insured people do not know their additional contribution: 40 percent of those surveyed said they had no idea. In addition, many insured people wrongly assumed that loyalty to their health insurance company would give them advantages, emphasizes health economist David Matusiewicz in the “Handelsblatt”.
However, for those who have changed their health insurance company, the price is the decisive criterion: 57 percent justified their change with the additional contribution. Young professionals in particular are particularly willing to change. According to McKinsey, the typical changer is between 18 and 34 years old, older age groups apparently find it much more difficult to change.
